JR Parachini

Sports Editor, Worrall Community Newspapers at Union News Daily

8 people in heaven: my father James Sr., my 4 grandparents, my Uncle Tom, Rod Serling and Thurman Munson.

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Articles

Governor Livingston baseball, for the first time, repeats as UCT champs

1 week ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

This slideshow requires JavaScript. UNION — How does the Governor Livingston High School baseball team sidestep the state-ranking, the undefeated record and constantly being a heavy favorite? “One game, one inning, one pitch at a time,” standout junior catcher Michael Basile said.
Summit softball comes close to capturing first county crown

1 week ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

UNION, NJ — Not often does the eighth seed get all the way to the championship game and then have a lead in it as it attempts to win the title. That was the case for the Summit High School Hilltoppers last week, a program that won just three games in 2023 and then, just two years later, was six innings away from capturing its first county championship.
Governor Livingston baseball aims for UCT repeat title

2 weeks ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

This slideshow requires JavaScript. BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — Experience vs. the first time in a long time. That was the scenario Tuesday, May 20, at Kean University’s field in Union, when top-seeded Governor Livingston High School was scheduled to face third-seeded Union Catholic High School in the 71st annual baseball Union County Tournament championship game.
Summit was going for its first UCT softball title

2 weeks ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

SUMMIT, NJ — Could Summit High School do it again? Could the Hilltoppers have knocked off another higher-seeded team en route to its first championship? In the way was Scotch Plains–Fanwood High School, which reached the final last year and was seeking just its second title and first since way back in 1977.
UCT baseball hits all bases with the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals

3 weeks ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

UNION COUNTY, NJ — As the baseball Union County Tournament was scheduled to continue Wednesday, May 14, with the four quarterfinal games to be played at the higher seeds, one of them was out to make program history. For top-seeded Governor Livingston High School, this is its fourth opportunity to repeat as champions for the first time. Governor Livingston won the crown for the first time in 2016, after numerous trips to the final over the years didn’t work out.
UCT softball rounds the bases with semifinals and finals

3 weeks ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

UNION COUNTY, NJ — One of the hottest softball teams in the state this year, especially since April 27, has been the Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders. Arthur L. Johnson began the week with a 19-2 overall record and took a nine-game winning streak into its scheduled Monday, May 12, game at 9-6 Morris County foe Hanover Park High School.
Union resident Isa Abdul-Quddus named new Hillside head football coach

1 month ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

This slideshow requires JavaScript. HILLSIDE, NJ — Succeeding Barris Grant as Hillside High School’s head football coach is an assignment as challenging as making a fourth down play inside the opponent’s five-yard line to win the game. Grant was Hillside’s most successful head coach, guiding the Comets to three state championships in nine seasons before leaving to become the head coach at Union High School.
Top seed Governor Livingston is the favorite to win UCT baseball

1 month ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

BERLELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — Governor Livingston High School baseball has accomplished much the last 30 years. However, there is still one thing the Highlanders have not done yet: That’s repeat as Union County Tournament champions. Governor Livingston broke through in 2016 on Mother’s Day and captured its first crown. The Highlanders then won again in 2018, after getting upset as the top seed by Arthur L. Johnson High School in the 2017 quarterfinals.
Arthur L. Johnson softball surges as county tourney looms

1 month ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

This slideshow requires JavaScript. CEDAR GROVE, NJ — While the race between Arthur L. Johnson, Governor Livingston and Scotch Plains–Fanwood high schools for supremacy in the Watchung Division of the Union County Conference continues, there’s another hidden, underlying battle taking place. This one is a bit more subjective. Just which team should be awarded the top seed for the upcoming 49th annual softball Union County Tournament?
Cranford High School baseball wins five straight

1 month ago | unionnewsdaily.com | JR Parachini

CRANFORD, NJ — One of the hottest baseball teams in Union County, not counting highly talented, state-ranked Governor Livingston High School, of course, was the Cranford High School Cougars, as play continued again this week. Guided by first-year head coach Ryan Matlosz, the Cougars bounced back from a three-game losing streak to reel off five straight triumphs, heading into its scheduled Union County Conference-Watchung Division clash at home against Westfield High School on Monday, April 28.